Part V
Handling Emergencies____________________________
If you do all the things this manual says, you may never have an emergency. But no one is perfect. Chances are things will happen that you can't expect. If you are well prepared, you will be able to react correctly and fast enough to avoid an accident.
Safety Belts___________________________________________________
You're in better shape to handle an emergency if you are wearing safety belts. If you wear a lap belt your chances of coming out of a collision alive are about twice as good as if you do not. If you are wearing both lap belt and shoulder strap your chances are three to four times as good.
* They keep you from being thrown from the car. Your chances of surviving a crash are up to five times greater if you stay inside the protection of your car.
Safety belts also help the driver control the car. Here's how:
* They keep you from moving around on the seat at sudden stops and turns. They keep you behind the wheel no matter what happens. You can't control your car if you slide from behind the wheel.
* They slow your body down with your car. If you are not wearing safety belts and have a collision, here's what happens:
Your car stops but you keep going at the same speed you were traveling, until
you hit the dashboard or windshield. At 30 MPH, this is like hitting the ground
from the top of a three-story building.
.
* They help you to stay alert by keeping you from slouching while you drive. They also help to keep you from getting tired by cutting down on the effort needed to keep your body in the seat as the car bounces and turns.
If you were struck from the side, the impact could push you across the
seat. Safety belts keep you in position so you can control the car.
The only way that safety belts can do all these things is if they are buckled. There is no time to buckle them when an emergency happens. You have to do it before you start the car.
Use safety belts properly. Keep the lap belt fairly tight, but comfortable, across your lap and hips. Make sure it is below your stomach and rests on your hip bones. Adjust the shoulder strap just loose enough to let your fist go between the belt and your chest. If you wear safety belts like this, they will be comfortable, and they will give you plenty of protection.
Safety Belt Myths and Misconceptions
Unfortunately, many myths and misconceptions about safety belts and their use prevail:
1. "I feel restricted and uncomfortable wearing a safety belt."
If your car was manufactured after 1974, it is equipped with a belt which allows you to move freely. A latching mechanism locks the belt in place if your car should come to a sudden stop for any reason. In fact, some people don't wear safety belts because they recognize how much mobility they have and don't understand how the belt would protect them if they were in a crash.
2. "I've never had an accident, I'm a safe driver."
Statistically, every citizen has a one in three chance of being in a serious accident in his or her life. How many people do you know who have not been in some sort of traffic accident? Furthermore, wearing a safety belt will protect you against all the other less safe drivers on the road or an unforeseen mechanical breakdown.
3. "I use my safety belt when I'm taking a long trip, but I don't need it when I'm driving around town."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 75% of all deaths and serious injuries occur in cars traveling under 40 mph within 25 miles from one's home. Indeed, a crash at only 12 mph can be fatal.
4. "I don't want to be trapped in the car after an accident; it is better to be thrown clear than trapped in a burning or submerged vehicle."
Regardless of the nature of the accident (in fact, less than one half of one percent of all injury producing collisions involve fire or submersion) it is considerably more dangerous to be unrestrained in a crash. This is true, quite simply, because you are much more likely to be conscious and unhurt if you are wearing your safety belt, and hence able to escape if you are trapped. Your chances of being killed are 25% greater if you are thrown from the car.
5. "I don't need it. If I'm in an accident, I can brace myself with my hands."
In a head-on collision at 30 mph, the unbelted occupant will slam into the windshield with a force equal to that of a human body as it hits the ground after falling from a three story building. You would have to be awfully strong to restrain yourself against this amount of force.
6. "Most people would be offended if I asked them to put on their safety belts in my car."
Polls show that the overwhelming majority of passengers would put on their belts if asked. Furthermore, if you are found to be at fault in an accident, in most cases, you will be liable for any injuries to your passengers. In essence, you are protecting yourself by ensuring that other people in your car are as safe as possible.
NOTE: Approximately 45,000 people die in traffic accidents each year. Such crashes are the primary cause of death for people between the ages of 1 and 34. Statistically, every citizen has a one in three chance of being in a serious accident in his or her life. When used properly, lap and shoulder belts can reduce the risk of a serious or fatal injury by 40-55%.
Despite these statistics, more than half of all adult Americans don't buckle up. Young people are even less likely to do so, it's estimated that less than a quarter of all teens use safety belts.
Airbags
Many vehicles are now equipped with airbags which will inflate upon frontal impact. Airbags give you extra protection when the front of your vehicle hits, or is hit by, an object. You must also use your safety belts to give you full protection.
Air bag safety:
* Kids Ride in Back: Infants in rear facing child safety seats should NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger-side airbag.
* Child Safety Seats: The safety seat should be held properly in place by the vehicle's safety belts and the child should be correctly buckled in the child safety seat.
* Wear Both Lap and Shoulder Belts: The shoulder strap should cross the collarbone, and the lap belt should fit low and tight.
* Move The Front Seats Back: Drivers should position the seat as far away from the dashboard as is practical to operate the vehicle. Passenger seat is pushed back as far as possible.
To ensure that children ride safely, remember these rules.
* Never put an infant less than one year old in the front seat of a car with a passenger side airbag.
* The back seat is the safest place for a child of any age to ride. Infants should always ride in the back seat facing the rear of the car.
* Make sure everyone is buckled up. Unbuckled occupants can be hurt or killed by an airbag.
* 12 year olds and younger should always ride in the rear seat.
* Children near airbags are at risk, particularly those in rear-facing child safety seats. Never place an infant in the front seat of a car with a passenger side airbag.
* All drivers or front seat passengers, especially short, pregnant or elderly ones should sit as far back as possible from the steering wheel or dashboard.
Use of safety belts - passengers; operators.
1. Definitions.
* "Child safety seat" means a child safety seat that meets the standards described in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
* "Federally approved child restraint system" means a child passenger restraint system that is designed to elevate a child to enable that child to properly sit in a federally approved lap and shoulder belt system and that meets the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
2. Children under 40 pounds. When a child who weighs
less than 40 pounds is being transported in a motor vehicle
that is required by the United States Department of
Transportation to be equipped with safety belts, the
operator must have the child properly secured in a child
safety seat.
3. Passengers less than 18 years of age.
* The operator shall ensure that a child who weighs
at least 40 pounds but less than 80 pounds and who is less than 8 years of age is properly secured in a federally approved child restraint system.
* The operator shall ensure that a child who is less than 18 years of age but more than 8 years of age or who is less than 18 years of age and more than 4 feet, 9 inches in height is properly secured in a seat belt unless that child is required to be secured in a child restraint system or in a child safety seat.
* The operator shall ensure that a child who is less than 12 years of age and who weighs less than 100 pounds is properly secured in the rear seat of a vehicle, if possible.
4. Other passengers 18 years of age and older; operators. When a person 18 years of age or older is a passenger in a vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts, the passenger must be properly secured in a seat belt. The operator of a vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts must be secured in the operator's seat belt.
5. Exceptions.
* A rural mail carrier of the United States Postal Service is not required to be secured in a seat belt while engaged in the delivery of mail.
* The operator of a taxicab or a limousine is not responsible for securing in a seat belt a passenger transported for a fee.
* A newspaper delivery person is not required to be secured in a seat belt while engaged in the actual delivery of newspapers from a vehicle or performing newspaper delivery duties that require frequent entry into and exit from a vehicle.
Hazardous Driving Conditions
Winter Driving______________________________
Winter driving has its own special hazards which
call for extra driving skills. On slippery roads, the
important points to safe driving are slower speeds,
gentler stops and turns, and increased following
distances. The following are guidelines for safe winter
driving.
* Make sure that your car is in good mechanical
condition before the bad weather hits; breakdowns
during storms are especially problematic. Getting a
tune-up is an important first step in winterizing your car,
it should ensure that your car is in good working order
and maximize its fuel efficiency.
Additionally, make sure that your tires are in good
condition, or have snow tires put on. Also, ask your
mechanic to check your antifreeze, water hoses, exhaust
system, battery charge and brakes. Make sure that your
oil is of sufficient weight to perform in the winter and
that your battery terminals are clean.
* Although it is important not to begin driving
before your engine is warmed up, don't warm it too much.
Thirty seconds is usually enough time to allow your engine
to idle. Even a cold engine will warm up faster when
actually running than when left to idle for long periods
of time. When it is extremely cold, drive at slower speeds
for a few miles.
* Get the "feel of the road. Try the brakes
occasionally while driving slowly. Determine just how
slippery the road is and adjust your speed accordingly.
Never slam on the brakes; this can cause your wheels to
lock and throw you into a skid. If the car begins to skid:
Stay off the brake. If you brake hard, your wheels will lock and that makes the skid worse.
Turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the car to go. This lines the front of the car up with the back.
Turn back the other way. As soon as the car begins to straighten out, turn the wheel back the other way so that the car won't turn too far.
If you don't turn the wheel back, you start a new skid.
Continue to correct your steering, left and right, until you recover completely from the skid.
Look for something to stop you. If you can't control your car on a slippery surface, try to find something to stop you. Try to get a wheel on dry pavement or on the shoulder of the road, or slowly edge into a snow bank or some bushes.
* When stopping on icy or snow-covered roads, pump brakes on and off very gently. Be sure to release the pressure on the brake at the first hint that the wheels are starting to slip. Do not release the clutch or take the vehicle out of drive until the vehicle has almost completely stopped. When stopping a car with anti-lock brakes, simply press firmly on the brake pedal (follow instructions in owner's manual).
* Follow at a safe distance. Keep well behind the vehicle ahead of you, giving yourself plenty of room to stop. Remember that on snow or ice it takes three to twelve times as much distance to stop your car as it does on dry pavement.
* Slow down when approaching hills and curves. Make turns gradually, moving the steering wheel carefully.
* Keep the windshield and windows clear. Make sure that your windshield wipers, defroster and headlights are working and that you have plenty of wiper fluid.
* If you should get stuck, don't spin your wheels. Keep them as straight as possible, shovel snow out from around them and use traction mats, sand or cat litter to provide extra traction. If you still can't pull out, rock the vehicle by going back and forth from reverse to drive and you should be able to roll out.
If you have to wait for help:
* Stay with your car. Most deaths occur when people leave the car, get lost, and freeze to death.
* Put a red flag on your radio antenna or driver's door handle, and, if available place flares to the front and rear of your car.
* Wrap yourself and any passengers in blankets and any warm clothing which is handy.
* Run the engine and heater until the car is fairly warm, then shut it off. Repeat this when you start to feel cold.
* Crack your windows slightly, keeping the exhaust pipe clear of snow to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
* Keep yourself and your passengers as active as possible. DO NOT LET ANYONE GO TO SLEEP.
Prepare for Winter by Placing the Following Items in Your Vehicle:
* Shovel
* Flares
* Ice Scraper
* Jumper Cables
* Bag of Sand
* Warm clothing and footwear
* Red flag for your vehicle's antenna
Fog
The best rule during foggy conditions is to avoid driving. If you must drive, you should:
* Reduce your speed and always be prepared to stop your vehicle within the limits of your vision, even if those limits are not more than a few feet.
* Turn your headlights on. Put them on low beam to prevent the glaring reflection of your lights in the fog.
* Look for road edge markings to guide you.
* If the fog becomes so thick that you can barely see, pull off the road and stop, using your emergency flashers. Wait until visibility improves. Do not creep along at 5 or 10 miles an hour.
Rain
Wet roads can be as dangerous as icy roads, so always drop your speed in wet weather. You will need more distance for stopping, and you may skid on quick turns.
Roads are more dangerous at the start of a light rain when road oil and water mix to form a greasy film on the road.
Rain also creates vision problems. Be sure to keep your windshield wipers and defroster in good condition.
Make sure you are seen by turning on your headlights.
Signal all turns and begin braking well ahead so that other drivers will know what you are going to do.
"Hydroplaning", which can cause skidding, takes place when you're driving on wet roads. At lower speeds, most tires will "wipe" the road surface, the same way windshield wipers clean the windshield. But, as the speed increases, the tires can't "wipe" the road as well and start to ride up on a film of water just like a set of water skis.
In most cars, hydroplaning begins at 30 to 40 MPH and increases with speed to about 50 to 60 MPH, at which point the tires may be totally running on the water. In a bad rainstorm, the tires may lose all contact with the road at 50 to 60 MPH. If this is the case, there is no friction to brake, accelerate, or corner. A gust of wind, a curve, or a slight turn can cause a skid.
To reduce the chances of hydroplaning, you should: slow down during rainstorms, replace tires as soon as they become worn and keep tires properly inflated.
Flooded Roadways
Flooded roadways are extremely dangerous to both drivers and passengers. NEVER ATTEMPT TO DRIVE ACROSS A FLOODED ROADWAY. As little as six inches of water can float some small cars. Two feet of water will carry away most vehicles. Once a vehicle floats off the roadway into deeper water, it may roll uncontrollably while filling with water, trapping the driver and all passengers inside. In the United States, nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are people who are trapped in vehicles. In many cases, victims drive right off the edge of an eroded roadway without knowing that the road is no longer there. Flooded roadways are especially dangerous at night when it is more difficult to recognize the flood dangers. If your vehicle stalls in a flooded roadway, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Remember it's better to be wet than dead.
Night Driving Reminder: Use extra caution.
The fatal accident rate for night driving is nearly three times greater than for daytime driving, despite the fact that there are less miles driven at night. It's good practice to drive slower at night because overall visibility is much more restricted.
Avoiding Collisions_____________________________________________
When it looks as if a collision may happen, many drivers simply hit the brakes as hard as they can. This locks the wheels and puts the car in a skid, making things worse.
Braking may be the right thing to do, but it is not the only thing to do. In avoiding a collision, a driver has three options: (1) stop quickly, (2) turn quickly, and (3) speed up quickly.
To Stop Quickly
Pumping the brakes is generally the best way to stop the car in an emergency. The car stops quickly and also lets you continue steering. If you have anti-lock brakes, simply hold the pedal down firmly and let the car do the work.
* Push the brake pedal hard.
* If the car begins to skid, quickly let up on the brake. Then quickly push it down again.
* Use this quick pumping action until the car is stopped.
Controlled braking stops the car even faster but requires more skill. You need to get a feel for the brakes and the steering. Push down the brake pedal until just before the wheels lock, or until you feel a need for more steering control. Then, release the brakes. Repeat these moves until the car comes to a complete stop.
Protecting Yourself In Collisions
You may not always be able to avoid a collision. Try everything you can to keep from getting hit. If nothing works, try to keep the injury from being too serious:
Hit from the rear. If you are about to be hit from the rear:
* Be ready to apply your brake so that you won't be pushed into another car.
* Brace yourself between the steering wheel and seat back.
* If your car has head restraints, press the back of your head firmly against the head restraint.
Hit from the side. If you are about to be hit from the side:
* Brace yourself with the steering wheel to keep from being thrown against the side of the car.
* Get ready to steer quickly so that if the car spins around you can try to control the car.
Hit from the front. If you are about to be hit from the front:
* If you are wearing a shoulder strap, use your arms and hands to protect your face.
* If you are not using a shoulder strap, throw yourself across the seat so that you don't hit the steering column or the windshield.
To turn quickly. If you can see that you won't stop in time to avoid hitting something, turn away from it. Concentrate on the steering. If you can, stay off the brakes while you turn. This lessens the chance of a skid, particularly if you are turning onto a soft shoulder.
To be able to turn quickly you need to hold the steering wheel correctly. Your hands must be on opposite sides of the steering wheel, at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions. Get used to holding the steering wheel this way all the time.
To avoid an accident, turn away from the obstacle. Once you clear it, turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction to get back in your lane. Be ready to turn back again quickly. Many people steer away from one collision only to end up in another.
To speed up quickly. Sometimes it is necessary to speed up to avoid a collision. This may happen when another car is about to hit you from the side or from behind. In a car with manual transmission, you may need to shift into a lower gear and push the gas pedal to the floor. If the car has an automatic transmission, you can do the same thing by simply pushing the gas pedal to the floor.
It is illegal for an operator to read printed material while driving a motor vehicle. Printed material does not include a map or written directions to a specific location.
Accidents_____________________________________________________
If you are involved in an accident:
* Stop your car at once and render all possible aid to any injured people and send for an ambulance if needed. Do not move an injured person unless there is danger of an accident.
* Stay at the scene until the police have arrived and questioned everyone involved. If you can, move your car off the road so that you do not block traffic.
* Get the names and addresses of all people involved in the accident and any witnesses. Make sure to get the names and addresses of any injured persons.
* Record the other driver's:
o Name and address (make sure the driver's name is the one on the license)
o Make, model and year of car
o Driver's license number
o License plate number
o Insurance company name
o Damage to his or her car
Note:
* The time, date, and place of accident
* The position and direction of travel of cars and pedestrians before and after the crash
* Bad weather or roadway conditions
* Always contact the police if there is any injury. Give the police information on the accident at the time of the accident. Give just the facts.
* If a parked car is damaged, try to find the owner. Leave a note in a place where the owner can find it. The note should contain:
o Your name and address
o Driver's license number
o License plate number
o Date and time of accident
o A description of property damage
If the accident involves any injuries, or property damage of $1,000 or more, the drivers must report it to the police or local sheriff. Failure to report an accident may result in criminal charges and a driver's license suspension.
Emergency First Aid___________________________________________
If you are involved in or come upon a personal injury accident and no one else is on the scene, you should try to help the victims. If emergency medical assistance is already on the scene, follow instructions and pay attention to the road and traffic control officers, not the accident.
Here are some basic first-aid tips to use if emergency help is not immediately available:
* Don't move the victim unless absolutely necessary due to a fire or other life-threatening danger. If you must move the victim, keep the back and neck as straight as possibly by putting your arms under the victim, grabbing hold of clothing and pulling the victim head-first away from danger.
* If downed wires are present, don't go near them. Wait for emergency crews to handle the situation. If the wires are touching the vehicle or lying near it, warn occupants to stay inside until help arrives.
* Check to see if the victim is breathing, If not, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), if you have been trained to do it, or mouth to mouth breathing.
* You can help stop bleeding by putting pressure directly on the wound with your hand or a clean cloth, if available. Maintain pressure until help arrives. If the wound is in an arm or leg and there are no apparent broken bones, also carefully lift the limb to help slow bleeding while maintaining pressure on the wound.
* Do not put ointment or grease on burns. You may apply cold water to burns and cover them with a clean cloth.
* Do not give an injured person anything to drink, not even water.
* Cover the victim with a blanket or a coat to maintain body temperature and help prevent shock.
Handling Other Automobile Emergencies__________________________
No matter how well you take care of your car, or how carefully you drive, there is always a chance that your car will fail and that you will be forced to deal quickly with both an unpleasant and unexpected situation. They can all be overcome or minimized if you know what to do. The following paragraphs note some of the more common car failures and how best to deal with them. Knowing what to do could save your life.
If the right wheels of your car unexpectedly run off on to the shoulder of the road:
* Don't panic! Grip the steering wheel firmly.
* Ease up on the gas pedal.
* Don't hit the brake pedal suddenly and hard. Step on the brakes gently.
* After you've slowed down, you can steer back onto the road. Before doing so, check the road for traffic ahead and behind, then turn your wheels to get back on the road.
If your gas pedal becomes stuck or jammed:
* Keep your eyes on the road.
* Shift to neutral.
* Put on the brakes.
* Find a safe place to pull off the road.
* As you bring your car to a stop, turn off the engine.
* If you cannot free the pedal so that it does not get stuck again, call for assistance and do not try to drive the car.
If your brakes fail:
* Pump the brake pedal rapidly and hard several times. If that doesn't work?
* Slowly apply the parking brake, but hold the brake release so you can let off on the brake if the rear wheels lock and you begin to skid. If that doesn't work?
* Shift to a lower gear and look for a place to slow to a stop.
* Use your horn and lights to warn other drivers.
* Make sure the car is off the roadway.
* After the car has stopped, call for help. Do not try to drive the car to the garage.
Wet brakes:
* Always test the brakes after driving through deep water. The brakes may pull you to one side, or they may not work at all.
* "Dry" the brakes by driving slowly and putting your brakes on lightly for a short distance.
If a blow out occurs:
* Don't panic or slam on the brakes.
* Let up on the accelerator.
* Hold the steering wheel firmly and keep your car in the same lane. There may be a strong pull to the right or left.
* Let your car slow down. Don't use the brakes until you are going very slowly.
* Put on the brakes gently.
* Pull off the road to a safe area.
If your hood latch fails:
* Immediately slow down.
* Try to look under the hood to see. If you can't?
* Put your head out the window and look around the hood. Use the center line or lane marking as a guide.
* Brake and pull off the road as rapidly as you can.
If your power steering fails:
* If going straight, grip the wheel with both hands to keep control. If turning, pull hard with both hands to make it around the corner.
* Stop the car. You may have to push hard if your car has power brakes.
* Restart the engine.
If your engine floods:
Engines become flooded when there is too much gas in the cylinders. This condition makes it impossible for the gas to burn.
* Press the gas pedal to the floor and hold it there. Do not pump the gas pedal.
* Turn the key and let off on the pedal when the engine starts.
* If this doesn't work, wait about ten minutes, then repeat the above.
If your headlights fail:
* Try the dimmer switch. That will often put them on again.
* Turn the headlight switch on and off a few times.
* If that doesn't work, turn on your parking lights, turn signals or emergency flashers.
* Pull off the road as quickly as possible, leaving your emergency flashers on.
If your car stalls on railroad tracks:
If a train is coming and you are not having any success moving your vehicle, stop trying and get away. To avoid debris from any crash, leave your vehicle and head quickly alongside the tracks toward the approaching train, staying a safe distance beside the tracks and train.
If there is an oncoming car in your lane:
* Blow your horn and flash your lights to warn the other driver.
* Brake quickly, but not so fast that you lock your wheels and lose control.
* Quickly pull off into the right shoulder or ditch. Do not drive into the left lane.
If your car's engine overheats:
If your car is hot from simply being overworked, you can do several things.
* Pull off the road, turn the engine off and let it rest.
* Turn off the air conditioning.
* Stop and shift into neutral. Increase engine idling speed when stopped.
* Turn on the heat and open the car windows.
If steam is rising from the hood, or your temperature gauge has reached the danger zone, pull over and turn off the ignition. Once the engine has cooled, check the coolant level. If coolant is low, add more. Do not add water, cool liquid can cause the engine block to crack.
If the radiator does not hold coolant, look for leaks in the radiator or breaks in the hoses. Attempt to temporarily repair such problems and then go to the nearest service station immediately. If you cannot make temporary repairs, or the temperature gauge remains in the danger zone, do not drive the vehicle. This could result in expensive or irreversible engine damage.
If your car battery dies:
* Attach one jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
* Attach the other end of the cable to the positive terminal of the working battery.
* Attach the other cable to the negative terminal of the good battery.
* Attach the last clamp to the engine block of the stalled engine.
* Start the car with the good battery.
* Start the car with the dead battery.
* Allow both cars to run for a few minutes in order to recharge the battery.
* Once the car is started, remove the clamps in the reverse order that the connections were made.
* Never smoke when jump-starting a vehicle and make sure that your eyes are protected.
If any fuses blow:
Fuses provide the charge which makes the gauges, windshield wipers, blinkers, starter and many other parts of your car run. Your owner's manual will tell you where your fuse box is located and which fuses power which parts of your car.
* Fuses are easy to replace; usually no tools are needed.
* Locate the blown fuse by referring to your owner's manual and pop it out.
* Replace fuse with another of the same amperage.
* Never attempt to override the system with aluminum foil or other metal, this could cause a fire or explosion.
* If the new fuse doesn't solve the problem or the fuse blows repeatedly, take your car to a mechanic.
If your vehicle catches fire:
If you have a fire, pull off the road quickly, shut off the ignition to cut electrical power, and get all passengers away from the car immediately. Call the fire department. Do not open the hood as you may be severely burned.
If your vehicle plunges into water:
A car with windows and door closed may float from 3 to 10 minutes. The best escape route is through a window, because water pressure makes it hard to open a door. If your car has power windows, open them as soon as possible, because the water will cause a short circuit in the electrical system.
Sharing the Road With Large Vehicles____________________________
A few simple precautions will help prevent problems between cars and large vehicles such as trucks and buses. Bus and truck drivers face special challenges because of the large size and weight of their vehicles. The drivers of automobiles should keep these challenges in mind when sharing the road.
Stopping
* Stopping distances are much greater for heavier vehicles than for automobiles. Be sure that there is plenty of room between you and large vehicles that are traveling behind you. Always leave plenty of space between you and vehicles ahead of you when being followed by a large vehicle. This will give you plenty of time to react as well as the driver of the large vehicle behind you to react.
* Never pass or pull in front of a large vehicle that is already slowing or stopping. The driver has based their braking ability on the space ahead. If you suddenly pull in the lane, you have compromised the driver's braking ability and could cause an accident.
Maintaining Space
* Just as with automobiles, the space requirements of large vehicles are much greater when road conditions are bad. Remember when driving in poor weather conditions or when visibility is limited to give large vehicles an extra margin of space on all sides. When the road conditions are poor, forcing the driver of a large vehicle to use the brakes can lead to skids or jackknife situations.
* Most professional drivers understand the dangers of excessive braking when the roads are slick; the drivers of automobiles should remember to avoid actions which will force the bus or truck driver to use their brakes any more than necessary under such conditions. This is simply another way of giving large vehicles the extra space they need to operate safely.
* When you are immediately behind a large vehicle, do not follow too closely (tailgate). A good rule to follow is that if you cannot see the mirrors of the large vehicle you are following, you are too close and in the driver's blind spot. If you follow too closely it limits your visibility of the road ahead. If the driver of the large vehicle should have to stop quickly, you will be at risk.
* Some driver's "draft" off a large vehicle. This is the practice of following so closely behind a truck thinking the wind drag created from the truck will pull your car along. Do not do this. Not only does it not work, it is extremely dangerous.
* If you are stopped behind a large vehicle on an upgrade, leave space in case the vehicle drifts backward when it starts to move. Also stay to the left so the driver can see you in the mirror.
* Always dim your headlights when following a large vehicle at night. Bright lights will reflect off the mirrors of the large vehicle and make it difficult for the driver to see the road ahead.
Speed Control
* The weight of large vehicles means that the speed of these vehicles might sharply increase or decrease according to the terrain. This change in speed is much greater for large vehicles than automobiles. The speed of a large vehicle might drop sharply when the vehicle is going uphill; this same vehicle might often gain speed quickly when starting downhill. The basic rule about space, however, still applies; avoid actions which take space from the driver of a large vehicle when needed to operate safely.
Turning
* Another challenge arising from the size of trucks and buses is that of making turns. Right turns can be especially difficult. Many times large vehicles will be forced to swing to the left before turning to the right. This is necessary to clear the sidewalk or any objects that may be on the side of the road. Drivers of automobiles must be watchful for this maneuver, and avoid driving into the path of the truck or bus.
* Watch for the positioning of the vehicle, and the path the vehicle seems to be taking. Also, watch for directional signals of the large vehicles. Many times the signal may be the only indication that the vehicle is about to turn right when it seems to be moving left.
Passing
* Before passing a large vehicle be sure to check ahead, behind and in the direction you will move. This is necessary to be sure that you have enough room to complete the maneuver.
* Never pass unless in a legal passing zone and don't pass if you have to speed to complete the maneuver.
* When you have passed a truck or bus, do not pull back into the lane until you can clearly see the front of the vehicle in your rearview mirror. Also, be sure to check your blind spot by looking over your shoulder before returning to the lane.
* Because of the size of large vehicles, at highway speed the vehicle will push a cushion of air to the side and rear. When a large vehicle is passing you, stay as far to the right of your lane as possible until the vehicle is clear. This rule also applies when a truck or bus is approaching you from the opposite direction.
* Do not speed up when a large vehicle passes you. Maintain your speed or slow down slightly to allow the larger vehicle to pass.
* When the roads are wet, it is a good idea to have your windshield wipers on before large vehicles pass you. These vehicles tend to create a lot of spray which can severely diminish your ability to see the road ahead.
Blind Spots
* Drivers of large vehicles rely mostly on their mirrors to gather information on what is beside and behind them. Even though trucks and buses have many mirrors, there are still areas around the vehicle which the driver has difficulty seeing. Some of these areas are impossible to see and are known as blind spots. All vehicles have blind spots, even automobiles, but with large vehicles there are many such areas and they may be rather large. The graphic below will show the most common blind spots.
* Never attempt to pass behind a truck or bus that is backing.
* As was mentioned earlier, if you cannot see the mirrors of the large vehicle ahead of you, the driver can't see you. Stay out of the blind spots.
Part V Practice Questions:______________________________________
1. In Maine children and adults up to what age are required to wear safety belts or be secured in a safety seat when riding in an automobile?
2. In avoiding a collision a driver has three options. What are they?
3. What should you do if your power steering fails?
4. If your brakes become wet after driving through deep water, you can "dry" them by _________?
5. True or false? Seat belts help you to stay alert.
6. Approximately how many people die each year in motor vehicle accidents in the United States?
7. What is the first thing you should do when confronted by an oncoming vehicle in your lane?
8. When operating your vehicle on ice or snow, it takes ____ to ____ times as much distance to stop your vehicle as it does on dry pavement.
9. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about ____% of all deaths and serious injuries occur in cars traveling under 40 MPH within 25 miles from one's home.
10. True or false? When used properly, lap and shoulder belts can reduce the risk of a serious or fatal injury by 40-55%.
11. What is the first thing you should do if you are involved in an accident?
12. True or false? Always contact the police if you are involved in an accident in which someone injured.
13. What is "hydroplaning" and how should it be handled?
14. Should you try to pull injured victims from a vehicle that has been involved in an accident?